The Cape Verde archipelago is a country used to looking at the sea. In addition to fishing, one of the pillars of its economy, the ocean also receives both the threats of a climate crisis dressed in drought and desertification and the solution of desalination. Its president José Maria Neves receives La Vanguardia within the framework of the Decade of the Oceans conference, a United Nations initiative that promotes scientific research and addresses the climate impact on the oceans, from warming to plastic pollution. Neves, familiar with the coming and going of the waves, warns that the sea needs “solid commitments” from everyone. And as soon as possible.
Cape Verde, with 10% arable land, is on the front line of the climate crisis. What are your challenges?
For centuries, Cape Verde has suffered from extreme droughts, including famine and death, but now they are more severe. We have been in severe drought for almost 5 years. And linked to the dramatic scarcity of water, we have strong soil erosion, in addition to blizzards of dust from the Sahara. These phenomena restrict our development.
Is the solution more sea?
I always say that the name Cape Verde is a misnomer, because it is neither a cape nor green, so our future essentially depends on the sea. Given the advance of desertification, we must produce water from the sea for human consumption, but also for agricultural and livestock production, industries, research or tourism.
When talking about the climate crisis, you look at the land (droughts, fires...), but you point to the oceans. Why are they key in the fight against climate change?
The poor state of health of the seas will make the impact of climate change even more painful. Today there is acidification of the oceans and a rise in sea level that will worsen with the melting of the Arctic. Climate changes will also cause geostrategic changes in the world and changes in the transportation system because non-navigable seas will become navigable seas. And there will be new mobility corridors for people and cargo. For Cape Verde the question has to do with survival. Issues such as drought, desertification or the ability to guarantee economic growth and prosperity will depend on how we fight now.
In Barcelona he has called for “solid commitments” to face marine challenges. What should be the global response?
The world should worry about sea level rise. But the question is not how it will hit small island states or archipelagos, because it will also impact coastal states or all marine biodiversity. We are depleting the earth's resources, causing profound climate changes such as accelerated warming, acidification of the sea or the melting of the poles. That is why it is essential that the international community pays attention to the sea because the future of humanity depends on the health of the oceans. The world must make commitments to take care of the oceans so that in the future we can obtain drinking water or produce food. We must be aware of the wealth it provides us.
Last week he met with the Spanish president, Pedro Sánchez. What did you talk about?
To reinforce investments in areas such as the fishing industry, the production of renewable energy or the fight against the climate crisis. But one of the main issues was the idea of desalinating seawater to combat drought and desertification, which are areas of shared interest. In Cape Verde we have experience: on the islands of Sal or Boa Vista, desalinated water covers 100% of the population's needs. We also have experience in wastewater collection and reuse. The problem is that they are expensive projects and we need support, not only in technology but in terms of financing. There could be unique partnerships between Cape Verde and Spain.
25% of the energy produced by Cape Verde is from renewable sources. It is the future?
That's right, and the idea is to reach 50% by 2030, but according to our studies, we can produce 40% more of our needs and export. And we're just talking about solar and wind energy, but we could also have green hydrogen. Cape Verde can be a renewable energy powerhouse.
Species such as tuna will be reduced by 45% in 75 years due to overexploitation. What is the consequence for the world?
This issue particularly worries me. The entire fish population is declining drastically and artisanal fishing is becoming more difficult. A strategic plan is necessary to guarantee the sustainable management of fishing resources and better manage existing fishing agreements with the European Union.
With President Sánchez he also spoke about the Sahel. What can Cape Verde do?
The Sahel corridor suffers from a major terrorism problem. Libya played a balancing role in the region and, with the bankruptcy of the Libyan state, weapons and terrorist groups proliferated. In addition, it uncontrolled migrations, because Libya functioned as a migration barrier between Africa and Europe. The solution is to strengthen the defense and security institutions of the countries and the stabilization of Libya. Within the framework of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the UN or the African Union, Cape Verde promotes peace and dialogue and works for states to advance democracy and create strong institutions.
In Transparency International's Corruption Index, Cape Verde ranks 30th out of 180 countries. Spain, the 36th...
It is a positive fact, which shows that the development of Africa is possible and inclusive political and economic institutions can be created, in addition to putting Africa's resources at the service of Africans if there is rigorous and transparent management of public resources.
You are the son of a single mother. How has growing up surrounded by powerful women influenced your personality and leadership?
It has given me greater sensitivity in relation to the issue of gender equality and equity. I have always perceived that men and women have the same rights and are equal. My mother is my heroine, she was my mother and my father; she was everything. For me at home there was no superman, there was a superwoman.
